Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Gordon on January 06, 2008, 06:34:00 pm
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Last fall I received a call from a gentleman in Washington State. Mike had seen my ambush style vine maple bow on the Web and asked if I would make him another like it. But instead of a rawhide back he wanted snakeskin and a lower draw weight.
I did not have any suitable vine maple that was dry but I had a hazelnut stave which Bryan Briand had generously provided to me that looked like it might do the trick. Mike expressed an interest in seeing the process of how his bow was made so I decided that I would document the steps in a build-a-long. Three months and over 200 pictures later, the bow is finally done. You can’t really appreciate how much time goes into making one of these bows until you have to describe each and every step!
You can read the build-a-long at:
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,3895.0.html
(http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,3895.0.html)
Here are the bow’s specifications. This bow is 60” ntn, 55# @ 27”, rattlesnake over silk backing, and hardwood tip overlays. The limbs are 1 3/8” wide tapering to 7/16” at the tips and 1 ¼” at the handle. The bow bends slightly through the handle. The handle wrap is tanned elk-hide dyed black. The tips and limbs are dyed with leather dye. The tip accents are done with red serving thread.
The bow has a slight amount of string follow at rest and is a sweet shooter. I think Mike will like it. Here are some pictures:
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Hazel/hazelnut03.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Hazel/hazelnut05.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Hazel/hazelnut08.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Hazel/hazelnut01.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Hazel/hazelnut02.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Hazel/hazelnut11.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Hazel/hazelnut07.jpg)
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Very good looking bow Gordon as we've come to expect from you! :)
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Gordon, as I stated on the buildalong, you are a master craftsman. The buildalong shows in every detail just exactly what goes into a quallity bow. That is bow thats worthy of BOM for sure. Keenan
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I think Mike will like it too - if he don't whatcha asking for it ;D? Naw - that is one sweeet lookin bow, everything about it is right on - beautiful!!
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A work of art, that's how I would describe it. Just simply beautiful.
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Oh my! A truly fine piece of work right there.
Very generous of you to do the build along, Gordon.
Bruce
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She came out spectacular Gordon.Your effort always shows in your work.
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She turned out beautiful Gordon! :o Thanks for your buildalong, it was extremely informative.
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Greg, to be honest, this bow was a little more nerve wracking than most as I did not want to mess up in the middle of the build-a-long. But it turned out alright much to my relief.
Keenan, your work has been inspiring me since I first joined this forum. From you that is a compliment of the highest order.
Paul, I already received an email from Mike saying he saw the finished bow on the site – he seems to like what he sees.
Shannon, I fell in love with your recent osage recurve. I only hope that I can someday build a bow like that. Thank you for your compliment.
Bruce, the build-a-long was the least I could do to payback the generosity of the folks who make up this community. I’m gratified that folks enjoyed it. Thank you.
Mamba, I try to give my best to each piece of wood I work. It might sound a little campy, but I believe I owe that much to the generations of hunters, arrow makers, and bow builders that came before me. We are what we are today only because of what they did -we owe them our respect.
Justin, thank you for your compliment. I’m so glad you found the build-a-long useful.
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Some "Mike's" get all the luck.... What a Great bow!
Mike (not the Lucky Mike tho :) )
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Gordon, what's ta say? Your work is constantly raising the bar for us, aspiring.
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Beautiful bow Gordon--better than the first ambush bow which is saying something. I also like to see some of our great bow woods from the northwest getting some press. I have a couple Hazelnut staves in mind that are shaking in their roots right now.
What are your thoughts on Hazel vs. V. Maple?
J. D.
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Very beautiful,you sir are a true craftsman.tradrick
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Gordon,
I have just one thing to say about that bow. WOW :o now thats what i call a bow
You sir are a true master craftsman. Someday I aspire to be half as good as you. By the way,that was one awesome BA.
Tim
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Thank you for the compliment Mike.
Thank you Dano, but I think there are plenty of others here who are raising the bar – it’s hard to keep pace with all of the great craftsman on this site!
JD, I like to think that I make each new bow just a little better than the last. The NW is well known for it yew, but we certainly do have many other wood species that make excellent bows – and I hope to sample most of them by the end of this year. Hazelnut is not as dense as vine maple, but it is much easier to work – you don’t have to deal with all of the knots, grain swirls, and whoop-de-doos. I like vine maple primarily because it is fabulous tension wood and it is very tough. But with the right design, hazelnut will make a hard-hitting bow that is light in the hand.
Thank you for the compliment tradrick.
I’m pleased you enjoyed the BA Tim and thank you for the compliment.
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Gordon, your buildalong was much more than a great bow project. I for one know I will pay much more attention to detail on my bows, and I have several new ideas I cant wait to try. The finish process alone was well worth the reading. The bow is great. Thanks for taking the time to do the build along. Justin
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You are very welcome Justin. Thanks so much for your support and kind words throughout this project.
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Gordon, Thanks for the build along on this bow. it was like watching a child grow up. It would break my heart to give it to someone else. You and J.D.'s bows have been my favorites since I started subsribing to PA in 06. There must be something in our Oregon water, I hope I catch it and become as good as you guys. Joel
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hi gordon! - hard to say anything, that hasn't be said about this bow ...
always really like the pictures, they are very well taken, too, so thanks to the photographer!
frank
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I've been offline for a while.And just read all of your BA.It is hands down the best BA I've had the pleasure of reading.Your craftsmanship and attention to detail is nothing short of amazing.Your knowledge and tricks of the trade are excellant.Thank you sir for some very valuable and useful information.I look foward to seeing more of your work.You deffinatly have inspired me to want to build better bows.tradrick
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Hi Gordon, your work is always art. I like it very much!
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A really beautiful bow there.
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Beautiful bow Gordon,and exceptional finish work.Thanks for the build along I really enjoyed it. :)
Pappy
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Another outstanding bow as usual Gordon. It really turned out nice.
Alan
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Great looking bow Gordon and thanks for the build along.
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Looks like a serious entry for January Self Bow of the Month. And also the January Calendar for 2009! Many thanks for the great build-along. It had to be a great instructional thread for bowyers at any skill level.
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An elegant piece. I like the dark tips. I have a hickory one I've been trying to get a similar look with, went with ebony stain, then black paint. Leather dye, huh?
Dave
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Great looking bow..... ;D
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Gordon, I have to say.....THIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOW I"VE EVER SEEN!!!!!
Great job!
Sean
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Wow Gordon!! That is one sweet looking weapon! Your build-a-long is invaluable for a newbee like me; nothing like getting a free education!! 8) If you do other build-a-longs I'll be looking forward to checking out what other tricks you have up your sleeves. Thanks again Master! :) Joe H
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your work is amazing, and the build along is awecome!
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It is a great looking bow, and I really did enjoy the build along. ;)
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If DaVince had internet access back in his day, I think he would have done a tutorial something like this. Your attention to detail and craftsmanship are exceptional! I am a graphic designer / artist by trade, and it is this appreciation for creating something beautiful, coupled with my passion for archery that first got me into bowmaking. Your build-along has truly inspired!
thank you.
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Gordon is my idol ;D. I love your bows
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She's a beauty, not the first time I've fallen in love with the look of one of your bows. something sexy about them. the thin tips, profile, the whole package.
Sorry, I got a little carried away there.
VB
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Thank you, you all are making me blush with your compliments. I do pay a lot of attention to how my bows look – the fit, finish, flow, tips, handles, tiller, color, etc. I think I got that from my father who was a master woodworker from the old country. He was one of the finest craftsmen I ever had the privilege to know and everything he created with his hands was simply beautiful. That said, there are many in this community who I look up to because they turn out bows that are more challenging than what I have attempted to date. Folks like Marc, RyanO, Keenan, Pappy, Frank, DCM, JD, Badger, Manny, MarkS, Dana, Snedecker, TomS, MP, Jbell, VB, Rich just to name a few. My bows may be pretty and functional, but you guys take it to the next level – you make me want to be a better bowyer. And for that I thank you.
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Thanks for including me on your list Gordon but I've only been building bows for 14 months. Every bow I build is new
and exciting, not to mention challenging. I am willing to try new things thats what makes this so much fun. Tried and true
is great if ya need a guaranteed shooter but its fun to try and make a shooter from something most folks would scoff at. I have 3
going right now doubt if I will get anything out of them but I am learning. One of my favorite things to do is give away bows to folks that aren't into archery
or not into primitive archery. In this way I try to encourage others to join us.
I will add to your list Justin, mullet, keenan, juniper junkie, bob, Chris Cade, jamie, hillbilly, Dano, Yew archer,
yankeemongiat, GregB, Oldbow, Rich Saffold, too many to name really, I learn something
from every bow posted from the vastly experienced bowyers to the raw rookies like myself. Truth be told I think
I get more enjoyment from the guys just beginning their journey, I can comiserate with the failures and share in the joy of their successes.
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What about Kegan? ??? I am so impressed with a young man his age turning out such great bows and such a diversity of styles. Justin
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I agree Justin. He rarely turnes out one with a bad tiller and always seems to get plenty of weight. I have trouble making one over 55#
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The problem with lists is someone always gets left out. Lots of good bowyers on here to many to list.